Thursday, September 27, 2012

Greetings
Good People! I hope this day finds you well and happy as can beJ

A couple of
“crochet” things have come up this week, and I’m hoping to get some feedback
from you about them.

One

While using
some doily thread remnants, I underestimated the amount I had left. I expected
to make 5 or 6 motifs with it, and I’m already on 7 or 8 with thread to spare.
It seems I have a generous spool at my disposal, and that my usual eyeballing
technique is not always to be trusted. No matter. This project (which will be
displayed and shared in the coming weeks) will be all the better for it.

Naturally,
this leads me to the question of how you plan projects with your yarn remnants
and scraps. Do you stick to mosaics, small items (that never quite use up the
yarn you’re using), or … well, that’s why I’m asking. How do you use your
remnants and scraps?

Two

This is more
of a pet peeve of mine. You’re working away, in the middle of a detailed and
intense project, when suddenly you come across a knot in the middle of your
yarn. To be clear, I’m not referring to tangled thread here; I’m talking about yarn
that’s been spun incorrectly by the manufacturer.

There’s no
way you could have predicted it would be there. To create your piece properly,
you almost have to tear out to the beginning of the row or round, cut out the
knot and rejoin a new thread. Luckily when this happened to me the first time
this week, I was able to bury the knot in the center of a puff stitch. However,
the second time it happened to me was not so accommodating. Doily thread rarely
is in situations like this.

It’s a
frustration to be sure, and I’m curious, do you leave knots in your work and
hope they don’t show too much? Do you tear out your work and eliminate the
knot, to prevent unnecessary blemishes in your pattern? Does anyone contact the
manufacturer, talk about this on social networking sites, blog about it or do
we all just deal with knots in our yarn, and carry on?

Christmas is
rapidly approaching, and I’ve several projects in mind for it…some of them I’ll
be giving as gifts. Consequently, I won’t always be showing step-by-step work
in progress – at least not until the holidays are over. Rest assured, I’m
writing down patterns and saving them for future blog posts, so you can make
them too.

Speaking of
which…

How many of
you spend months crocheting gifts for holidays and special events? Does anyone
make their own ribbon, package ties or festive decorations? I’d love to “deck
the halls” of this blog with photos of your hand-made delights. Please send
pics to mjjoachimswriting@gmail.com,
with a short write-up about them. We’ll do a little link-back, so people can
visit your site directly tooJ Don’t forget to put Lots of Crochet Stitches Blog in
the subject of the email, so I open it right away.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Perhaps it’s
because Aquarius is my star sign, or maybe it’s because working it up in 4-ply
yarn and then in size 10 crochet thread, this motif gives me lots of creative
ideas for patterns.

I found this pattern in a few different crochet books - twice labeled as an Aquarius motif and once called something else.

Regardless of what anyone calls it, I can assure you that working up
this little ditty will be pleasing and quick to produce. Plus, it doesn’t require very
much yardage – I’m thinking yarn scraps and remnants have exciting new
possibilities hereJ

Foundation

Chain 8;
join with slip stitch to form a ring

Round 1

Chain 1,
make 16 single crochet stitches in center of ring; join with slip stitch to 1st
single crochet

Round 2

Step 1: Make 6 triple crochet over next 2
stitches>>>

>>>
Chain 4 (counts as first triple), make 2 more triple in same space

>>>
Make 3 triple in next single crochet

Step 2: Chain 5 (corner); make 3 triple in 3rd
sc from hook, make 3 triple in next sc

[Repeat Step
2 twice; chain 5, join with slip stitch to top of chain 4 at beginning of
round]

The Single Double Cross Stitch Row pattern
consist of alternating rows of single crochet cross stitches and double crochet
cross stitches. It’s a very simple pattern that would be lovely for a very
soft, pull over sweater. This was my first thought when I started mixing up my
stitches, and I’m adding it to my future list of projects to be completed. At
least I did until I looked at my table – tablecloths and placemats always come
to mind when I do that, and this easy pattern would be perfect for them! Oh,
but then there’s the idea of making another afghan…you can never have too many
of those. Mile-a-minute strips, bordered with single crochet and joined
together with slip stitches, perhaps…

Yes, I
believe this pattern sequence will be useful for lots of different projects,
depending on the yarn one chooses to use.

Side two of Single Double Crochet Cross Stitch Rows

Single
Double Cross Stitch Rows Tutorial

Foundation:
Make an even number of chain stitches (+1 more chain); single crochet in 2nd
chain from hook and in each chain across.

Step 1: Chain 1, turn; single crochet in 3rd
stitch from hook; cross over and single crochet in 2nd stitch from
hook

Step 2: Make single crochet cross stitches across row
>>>

>>>skip
next stitch, single crochet in following stitch

>>>cross
over and single crochet in missed stitch

[Repeat Step
2 across row, ending with 1 single crochet in last stitch of row]

Friday, September 21, 2012

The thought
of having one more unfinished project simply wasn’t doing it for me, so I
decided to take my single skein of cotton 4-ply yarn and make a Water Wheel Motif Beret.

The
pattern is very simple and can be modified as necessary, to create the
appropriate size for whoever might be your recipient. This is an original
pattern I personally designed to share with you. As expected, all copyright and
intellectual rights apply. Thank you.

Begin by
making a Water Wheel Crochet Motif that is a few rounds larger than the diameter you need
to fit your recipient. Once your motif is large enough, add the trim according
to the following steps.

Water Wheel Motif Beret Trim 092112
Instructions

Step 1: Chain 1, single crochet in same space; single
crochet in each stitch around

Step 2: Chain 1, single crochet decrease (working
over the next 2 stitches the same way you worked double crochet decrease
stitches) in the 1st two and last two stitches of each double
crochet block of stitches; back loop only single crochet in all the stitches in
between the single crochet decrease stitches.

Single Crochet Decrease

Step 1: Insert hook in desired stitch or space.

Step 2: Yarn over, draw up a loop

Step 3: Insert hook in next stitch or space

Step 4: Yarn over, draw up a loop

Step 5: Yarn over, draw through all 3 loops on hook

I’m
currently working on a few other original patterns to share with you. As soon
as the tutorials are completely fine-tuned, you’ll be seeing them here on this
blog.

Best of Friday to you, good people! Happy crocheting and have a wonderful weekendJ

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

There are
many different pattern suggestions for the water wheel crochet motif. The
pattern consists of solid double crochet stitches, which widen out and alternate
between chain stitch loops that successively lengthen as the circle gets
bigger. My personal preference for the water wheel motif has the double crochet
stitches gently curving, symbolic of moving water (imo). I also enjoy this
pattern, because once you get the hang of it, you can grow your circle as big
as the ocean, if you want. In fact, I
think it would be a great way to use up all sorts of yarn scraps and left-over
yarn, consistently adding to it until you have one great big circular blanket
or shawlJ Hey, come to think of it, this is
also a fantastic pattern for a circular tablecloth!

Water Wheel
Crochet Motif Tutorial

*Special
Note: Chain 3 at beginning of each round
counts as 1st double crochet. Each round ends with a chain loop and
by slip stitching into the top chain of the 1st double crochet.

Foundation:
Chain 4, slip stitch to 1st chain to make a ring

Round 1

Step 1: Chain 3 (counts as 1st dc in this
and future rounds), dc in center of ring

Step 2: Chain 2, make 2 dc in center of ring (5
times)

Step 3: Chain 2, join with slip stitch to top chain
of 1st dc

Round 2

Step 1: Chain 3, make 2 dc in same space as slip
stitch that joined round

Step 2: Double crochet in next dc

Step 3: Chain 3, make 3 dc in next dc and 1 dc in
following dc

[Repeat Step
3 around, ending with chain 3 and joining with slip stitch to top chain of 1st
dc]

Round 3

Step 1: Chain 3, make 2 dc in same space as slip
stitch that joined round

The moss stitch
consists of two basic crochet stitches we’re all very familiar with, namely the
slip stitch and the half double crochet. It makes a close weave, all over
fabric that is a perfect choice for many projects. The pattern detail created
by alternating slip stitches with half double crochets is decorative, yet
simple, making this a uniquely versatile choice for all types of crafts,
clothing items and things for the home.

Foundation: Make a chain that is a multiple of 2
stitches.

Step 1: Alternate (slip stitch, half double crochet),
beginning in the 2nd chain from your hook, all the way across the
row.

Step 2:Chain 1, turn; repeat Step 1 across row

Repeat Steps
1 and 2 for pattern.

That’s all
there is to it, good people. Until next time, happy crochetingJ

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

It’s crunch
time, and if you’re like me, you’ll need plenty of time to make all sorts of
quick and easy projects you can share with family, friends and co-workers. In
an effort to help you, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorites from this
blog. I mean, who really wants to do all that shopping anyway, right?

Dish Scrubber: Personally, I can’t live without these, and now that I’ve shared
them with a few people, neither can they!

TableTop Decoration: Now you know, if you
add just a few more rows, this will make a perfect placemat. The pattern works
up quickly, so you can make an entire set of placemats in no time at all!

Popcorn Stitch Spiral:A little red, a
little green…maybe some jingle bells on the end…this could be the perfect
addition to any Christmas tree!

Monday, September 17, 2012

As my newly created pattern evolved, I realized I like it
much better as a lacy motif, to be joined together (perhaps to make a
tablecloth or something), or as an accent piece in a sweater, shawl, scarf or
even a pretty little dress or purse.

Well, I’ll leave that up to you…but please leave me a
comment and let me know your inclinations and inspirations for this new lacy
motif.

Also, please remember that intellectual and copyright rules
apply. This is my own original and unique pattern. While republishing it is not
allowed without written consent, linking to it is more than appreciatedJ Thank you for
understanding, good people.

Lacy Square Motif 091712 Tutorial

Foundation Round

Chain 6; form a ring by slip stitching into 1st
chain

Round 1

Make 6 (triple crochet + chain 1 and dc + chain 1) in center
of ring using the following steps.

[Continue making Corner and sides around, ending with chain
7 and joining with a slip stitch to 1st single crochet in round]

Optional

Round 7

Chain 1, single crochet in same space and single crochet
around by making 7 single crochet in each chain 7 loop and 1 sc in each sc, dc
and tr stitch, adding 1 chain between the two triple crochet stitches in the
corners.

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About Me

I'm a free spirit, filled with creative energy! I enjoy doing many things, including gardening, sports, crafts, cooking, to name a few. For relaxation, I prefer to hang by a water source like the ocean, a river or lake, something like that. I also really enjoy getting lost in a good book, and of course, writing...sometimes nonstop...

Blog Synopsis

If you spent your entire life trying, chances are you will never be able to learn every crochet stitch, or combination of stitches ever created. This blog will be my attempt to share as many different crochet stitches and stitch patterns as possible with you. I absolutely love crochet, and I have a blast playing with my yarn, hooks, beads and ideas.

Let's have fun with this, and make some neat things while we're at it. And Remember, you can always click (CTRL P) to print instructions and patterns from this blog.

Copyright Notice

All Rights Reserved. All work shared on this site is for personal enjoyment and use. You may not copy, redistribute or otherwise used information from this site for personal gain or monetary recompense, without direct written consent from its creator, producer and author, Teresa DePoy – aka, M. J. Joachim. Intellectual property rights apply.

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